Quantum kinetic theory of Jeans instability in non-minimal matter-curvature coupling gravity

Abstract

We present a quantum treatment of the Jeans gravitational instability in the Newtonian limit of the non-minimal matter-curvature coupling gravity model. By relying on Wigner functions, allowing for the representation of quantum states in a classical phase space, we formulate a quantum kinetic treatment of this problem, generalizing the classical kinetic approach (Gomes in Eur Phys J C 80:633, 2020). This allows us to study the interplay between non-minimal matter-curvature coupling effects, quantum effects, and kinetic (finite-temperature) effects, on the Jeans criterion. We study in detail special cases of the model (general relativity, f(R) theories, pure non-minimal coupling, etc.) and confront the model with the observed stability of Bok globules.

Gravitational instability of dark-baryonic matter systems in f (R) gravity

“…The formation of stars and planets is one of the most basic problems, and also one of the current research hotspots in astrophysics. Jeans analysis is the key to explain the formation and evolution of self-gravitating structures, has become a hot topic in the field of astrophysics [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], plasma physics [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], and complex fluid community [20][21][22]. Systems where the mutual gravitation exceeds any other external forces are called selfgravitating systems [23], in the self-gravitating system, if its own thermal pressure is insufficient to resist its gravity, the system will become unstable and collapse due to its own gravitation.…”

Adiabatic collapse of non-homogeneous self-gravitating gas cloud

“…Finally, investigations of the Jeans insability in the context of cosmological models, either classical [24], or quantum ones [25], should be mentioned. These studies have been claimed to possibly contribute to a better understanding of the so-called cold dark matter, a still hypothetical component of the Universe which interacts only with gravity [26,27] and may be important to determine the observed time evolution of baryonic structures [28][29][30].…”